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27 Replies to “Contact”

First of all, my compliments about your blog. It’s nice to see somebody writing positive stories about diving here in El Nido. In this way we promote the destination and we can welcome more divers in the future. We run a diveshop in El Nido and we would like to invite you for a day of free diving with us. It would be nice if you can return the favour by writing a story about this day and put a text link to our website. Let me know if you are interested. It would be great if you join us for a day.

I’m very honored to receive a sponsored post offer from you. It’s much appreciated. However, since I work for El Nido Resorts, it would be a conflict of interest for me to accept this offer. Thank you for your understanding.

we will be in hongkong on dec. 1, 2013 and will be staying in kimberley hotel. we will be in a griup of 8. we plan to visit ngongping 360 then to the peak. ocean park and disneyland. where can we buy the tickets? and how can we avail the 10%? on our first day we will first visit ngongping then the peak.. please give me the complete details on how to buy the tickets. thaank you.

I first came upon your blog when searching for a trip to Hong Kong. I liked your writing and decided to follow your advice to visit Philippines after the catastrophe you just underwent.

I am hearing contradictory news. This is a 50th anniversary birthday celebration for us and we planned to visit Borocay and Palawan. I do not know the state of the hotels there. Could you please give us some advice ?

Boracay was only slightly affected by typhoon Haiyan. I have friends working in hotels there and the properties only suffered minor cosmetic damage. As for Palawan, where are you planning on going? Coron was badly hit and I’m not sure about its current general status. The only place I know for sure is okay is Busuanga Bay Lodge, also since I have friends there. Places south of Coron (such as El Nido, San Vicente, and Puerto Princesa) were not affected by the typhoon.

Hi! I just re’ad your write up of Napantao…Very nice one. It made me miss my play ground and project site. I am away from the ocean for the mean time but rest assured it will stay protected in years to come.. It was my first MPA established and also has my important ring on it. Thank you for that nice write up. Keep up the good work!

While I know you’ve written your piece about the study on the antibacterial ingredient triclosan, I hope a further update could include some informed perspective from the American Cleaning Institute (www.cleaninginstitute.org).

ACI: Analysis of Research on Antibacterial Ingredient “Distorts and Misrepresents” Safe Use of Triclosan

• Publicity Statement Claiming that Ingredient Can Affect Human Health Not Borne Out By What the Research Actually Shows
• Independent Scientists Also Refute Researchers’ Claims
• Credible, Scientific Information on Triclosan Safety Available at http://www.fightgermsnow.com

Washington, DC, November 19, 2014 – Summaries of a study on the antibacterial ingredient triclosan grossly misrepresent what the research actually found, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI – http://www.cleaninginstitute.org).

Independent scientists at the UK-based Science Media Centre also took issue with some of conclusions of the study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which claim that triclosan could negatively affect human health.

“The fact is that overdosing mice with triclosan at levels they would never likely come in contact with does not represent a realistic circumstance for humans,” said Dr. Paul DeLeo, ACI Associate Vice President, Environmental Safety. “We’ve known for decades that the mouse is not a good model for human risk assessment of triclosan.”

Independent reviews of the research from the Science Media Centre state very clearly that:

“The paper does not prove the claim that TCS [triclosan] use promotes tumor growth in humans.”

Additional comments from the Centre (excerpted below):

From Dr Nick Plant, Reader in Molecular Toxicology at the University of Surrey:
“…the authors study only mice, and draw conclusion only on mice. Their comments on human health are very circumspect. As the authors state, it is difficult to assess if the dose that they use in mice is relevant to human exposure levels, but at a simple examination it appears to be much higher than I would expect to see in a human. This further complicates extrapolation to the human situation as we are not comparing equivalent exposures.
… it is not valid to state that the effect of triclosan in mice will occur in humans as well.”

From Dr Oliver A.H. Jones, Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry at RMIT University Melbourne:
“The results of this study are certainly interesting but I do not think they are a cause for concern for human health. Firstly the mice used in the study were primed with a tumor promoting chemical before being exposed to triclosan (which humans would not be) and the concentrations of triclosan used were much higher than those found in the environment.”
ACI expressed disappointment with a press statement from the University of San Diego Health System (where one of the researchers is based) that was “sophomorically” headlined: The Dirty Side of Soap.

“Consumers and the research community at-large are ill-served by over-the-top and distorted headlines and hype that accompany this research,” said ACI’s Paul DeLeo.

“Consumers need to know that antibacterial soap ingredients like triclosan have been extensively researched, reviewed and regulated for decades. Antibacterial soaps continue to play an important role in everyday handwashing routines in homes and hospitals alike.”

In comments submitted earlier this year to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the safety of triclosan, ACI wrote:

“Triclosan-containing consumer antiseptic wash products play a beneficial role in the daily hygiene routines of millions of people throughout the U.S. and worldwide. They have been and are used safely and effectively in homes, hospitals, schools and workplaces every single day.

“Furthermore, triclosan and products containing it are regulated by a number of governmental bodies around the world and have a long track record of human and environmental safety which is supported by a multitude of science-based, transparent risk analyses.”

For a historical perspective showcasing research that demonstrates triclosan’s safe and effective use in antibacterial soaps, visit http://www.fightgermsnow.com.

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The American Cleaning Institute® (ACI) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. ACI members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. ACI (www.cleaninginstitute.org) and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

For the past few years, I have occasionally been doing some work for a small, independent Tidal Turbine development company here in the U.K. and not long ago they asked for my opinion on a document that they had produced about Tidal Energy possibilities in the Philippines. In October of last year, one of the partners gave a presentation at the Asia Clean Energy Summit in Singapore. If you are interested in seeing the document that I have mentioned, you could contact the company directly or inform me by e-mail (so that I could ask on your behalf). Their name is Hales Water Turbines Ltd and they can be contacted via the website indicated.

My name is Joan, an incoming graduate student at the College of Science. I’ve read your blog post about the non-academic side of graduate school. For the Academic side: What are your tips for graduate school?

Hi Joan! I’m flattered that you decided to ask me. Haha. For the non-academic side, are you referring to this post?

My academic side tips:
1. Talk to your graduate adviser. They’re there to advise you 😀 They’ll help you organize a program that will (hopefully) get you to where you want to go.

2. Join a research lab in your second year. Practically speaking, becoming a research assistant is the only way you’re going to get funding to do your thesis. Yes, I managed to do mine while being a full-time student but that was because my (former) employer was willing to support me. My employer took care of plane fare, assistants, food, boats, and dive gear, while I used the P50,000 DOST thesis grant to pay for the rest. However, an employer like that is few and far between so being a research assistant is more feasible.

3. Don’t be afraid to talk to your thesis adviser. He/she is there to guide you 😀

4. Once you’re in thesis mode, dedicate your time to it. I found it impossible to balance writing my thesis with working. I had to take two months off work to hammer out the first draft of my thesis, then went back to work for the next few months. Unfortunately, I still wasn’t able to balance writing and working so I quit my job so that I could do the thesis full-time.

I can’t comment on other people’s paths but for me, first thing was an undergraduate degree in general biology then a master’s degree in marine science, specializing in marine biology. I didn’t have any formal experience in marine fieldwork prior to getting my master’s degree (my undergrad thesis was on birds!) but depending on what you want to do, it helps to already have associated skills like scuba diving 🙂

This is Bernadette from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment. We are holding the 2nd Sarihay Media Awards to recognize outstanding journalists (writers, bloggers, reporters) and their work in the field of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Our team came across several of your very compelling and inspiring articles at GMA News Online. We would like to invite you to submit these articles/features to the Sarihay Media Awards.

May I ask for your email address so I can send you a formal letter of invitation and the details of the awards.

Hi Macy, I am also a Marine Biologist, I just found your blog and I find it very interesting. I also participated to various Research expeditions in different countries ( I miss scientific diving a lot!). I am curious to ask you how to become a Sustainabilty manager? I mean once you get a degree and work a bit what path should I follow in order to do a similar job? I am Italian altough I live in China at the moment. I would like to work in sustainabily in Europe. Thank you, if you could give me any advice I would really appreciate it !
Maxine

Becoming a Sustainability Manager was not planned at all! My first job was with El Nido Resorts as an Environmental Officer. I was a Biology graduate with no experience in sustainability, sustainable tourism, or business. I learned everything on the job. Was lucky also to have a boss who mentored me 🙂

I was hired to be the Sustainability Manager of a property management company because the company president used to be the general manager of ENR. He wanted to bring that sustainability culture into his new company so he hired someone he’d worked with previously.

As to what path to take, that would be tricky. My path worked for me because I started out with zero knowledge in sustainability. I’d recommend joining a company that already has a proven track record in sustainability. Learn everything you can there and get to know people. Once you feel like you’re up to the challenge, then you can join a company where you’d have to build the sustainability culture and practices from the ground up.